Inheritance

Estate administration involves the probate of the decedent's estate and typically includes three broad actions: (1) asset collection, inventory and appraisal; (2) collecting and paying debts and taxes; and (3) distributing the remaining assets to beneficiaries. This process may occur with or without a will and may occur subject to a probate court or outside a probate court.

A legacy should be deeply considered. It takes on immortality, and it is how we live on after death. If we think of our legacy as a gift, it places an emphasis on the thoughtful, meaningful, and intentional aspects of legacy. The consequences of what we do now will outlive us.

After the funeral, the mortician handed me a small velvet pouch that contained my mother's jewelry: her favorite poinsettia earrings, a pearl necklace, and two rings. The first ring was a wedding ring my father gave her after she lost the original while working on the potato harvester. The second ring was a Mother's Ring she wore for 50 years.

Couples planning to blend families often have to make financial arrangements that respect previous relationships with ex-spouses and their families. Issues range from childcare and eldercare to potentially complex matters. That's why involving trained experts in stepfamily financial planning is a must.

Any presidential candidate should make the baby bond a central plank of their 2016 if they want to seriously address the problem of wealth inequality. Without such a proposal, wealth, and therefore political power will become increasingly concentrated in the hands of a small elite.

The Greatest Generation after World War II was created not only by their own grit, but also through major public investments in their prosperity. A similar investment is required for the next generation to rise to their full potential. Why should our greatest generation be behind us?

Following the death of a loved one, you may become the recipient of an unexpected parcel of real estate. Yet, with every windfall comes great obligations, so be prepared for the surprises you may encounter when inheriting property.

You shouldn't make any decision, particularly a financial one, without seeing the big picture. If an inheritance is in your future, it's best to know it's coming and be able to prepare for it. This might involve some awkward conversations, but it's worth knowing what might be left for you.

An inheritance can bring up conflicting emotions, placing the positive of financial gain against the sadness of losing a loved one. Complicating the situation further, certain inheritances -- such as an IRA -- are more difficult to sort out than others.

Taking away the power to forbid same-sex marriage frees people from lots of government interference. In reality, what so many assume is perfectly backwards. Marriage reduces state interference in a person's life; it does not increase it.

Whether you are looking to ensure your children's safety and future, or dictate how much of your earnings go back into the tax system, writing a will is an essential action and we can all benefit from taking advice from a genius like Einstein here.

The short answer is, not in most cases. But there are situations where someone could be legally responsible for paying off your bills after death. Plus, aggressive creditors have been known to coerce heirs into paying off debts for which they're not responsible, just to be left alone.

When you inherit money it usually accompanies a very emotional time. You may be still grieving over a lost relative or friend. Sometimes the sudden wealth from an inheritance can create even more stress in your life.

I realized that there comes a time in every woman's life when she needs to be sung to by a man with a heartbreakingly handsome voice in a language she doesn't understand. The sound of the words should drip with the dreams of her youth and the melody should hint of the promise that comes with time.

A new book that's the talk of academia and the media shows that two-thirds of America's increase in income inequality over the past four decades is the result of steep raises given to the country's highest earners.